Secrets

Who!? Pt. 2

It was now Saturday and Simon had just got off the phone with Fifth Harmony's tour manager, Stephen Schloss.

"That was Simon." he said as he put his phone and hands in his pocket.
"Okay and?" Ally said applying some lip gloss.
"I need you girls to stop what you're doing right now and listen to me." he said clearing his throat.

The girls put their phones and makeup to the side and listened now attentively. Stephen looked at each of them, a hint of sadness filling his eyes now.

"Stephen what's wrong? You're scaring us. Say something." Lauren said standing up with crossed arms.
"Is Simon okay? Are you okay!?" Dinah added with rising worry in her voice.

"Everyone's okay sweetie." he said stroking her arm in comfort.

"Then why do you look like that?" Normani standing up now.
"Just let him talk, please guys." Camila said taking Normani's hand rub in comfort.

Stephen cleared his throat again with an obviously forced small smile.

"Remember the tour you're going on?" he looked around the room at each face.

The girls nodded, this catching all of their attention.

"Two things. One, we finally found an opening act for you guys." he smiled as the girls high-fived each other. "Secondly, I am not your tour manager anymore, you're getting a new one."

"What who?!" Lauren said anger clearly displayed.
"What the actual HELL!?" Normani spoke in the same tone.
"I'm calling Simon. There is no way I'm going under anybody's control but yours." Ally said grabbing her phone.

Stephen snatched her phone and shook his head no.

"Dont you want to stay?" Ally said a bit saddened now at his resistance.
"Of course dear. But its already been done. I don't want you to argue unnecessarily because of me. Of course I still support you all til the end." he said as he handed Ally her phone back.

The girls came together all around, some with tears, some holding back because they hated crying in front of others, hugging Stephen as this would be his last day with them.

They decided to go out for ice cream together as a good-bye parting.

"Do you know who the opening act and new TM is?" Camilla spoke breaking the comfortable silence.
"Yep. Never met any personally though." he said putting his plastic spoon down.

The girls exchanged sketchy looks with each other.

"Are you going to tell us names or?" Lauren half-sassily said.
"Jenifer Gow is the new manager. Against the Current is the opening band." he said sipping on some water.
"Who?!" they all said in harmony.
"They're from New York." he sat back in his seat.

Nobody said a word afterwards and everybody continued eating their desserts. Some taking pictures and sharing it on social media and spreading the news about the situation they had just learned about. He received many good-byes from the fans, as well as from the employees of the company.

It was now midnight and Stephen was done packing and in the hotel lobby now, accompanied by the rest of the girls. He hugged them individually now.

"It was nice being around. I know nothing lasts forever, but I really thought I'd spend more time with you ladies. I'll visit and call you, okay?" he said shifting his snapback on his head.

Stephen was gone, and the girls knew they didn't have anyone but their security guards now. They knew nothing because the schedule was not sent directly to them, but to the new tour manager. They had to wait until the following day to know about their next move.
The Fifth Harmony girls decided to go to bed after sharing goofy stories about their ex-tour manager and cheering each other up.

---

Meanwhile in New York the previous day:

"WHO!?" they said simultaneously.

They all looked at each other trying to read each other's expression.

"How did you-- What did you-- Where-- I mean WHY!?" Dan stood up, I could see anger in his eyes.
"Jen, what were you thinking?" Chrissy said avoiding my eyes, looking at the ground.

I looked at my boyfriend for support but with my amount of luck he was giving me a disappointing look.

"This could be a great opportunity guys. They're pretty popular and we could use the promo to heighten our popularity also." Nick said trying to lighten the now tense mood.

"I knew you were a huge harmonizer, I just didn't think you would use us to meet your idols." my brother bluntly said walking out, slamming the door in the process.
"I don't really think this is the greatest thing you've done." Chrissy said repeating my brothers actions.

I looked at Will now. I could tell he was also pissed but he didn't say a word.

"Please say something?" I searched his eyes in hope of optimism.
"Never have I heard of two completely different genres being together and succeeding." He stood up and walked out, gently closing the door.

I looked at Nick now to trying to figure out what he was thinking.

"I thought they'd be more thrilled playing to a bigger crowd on a bigger stage. I promise I wasn't using them to meet Fifth Harmony!" I could feel my eyes filling with tears.
"I know, honey. They're just a bit down because they didn't get what they wanted, but I see what you're saying and they'll be grateful later on." he said snaking his arm around my shoulders and giving me a side hug.

We parted ways as soon as we exited the building. I had to face Dan's fury now as soon as I got home. Unlike any other day, the walk home felt like it went by quick.
I entered my home and went upstairs to my room. It was around 8 at night now and I laid in bed scrolling through my twitter notifications.
I sighed because I knew that sooner or later I would have to talk to my brother, I picked sooner. I got up and walked a couple of steps down the hallway and knocked on his door.

"Can I come in? Please?" I said on the other side of the door.

I heard the door unlock and fly open. As soon as I was in, he closed his door and sat down on his bed, his back to the wall, pulling his laptop on his lap.

"Don't do that." I said standing in front of him now.
"Do what?" he tapped away on the device.
"Ignore me. Just give me a second to explain." I put both of my hands together.

He closed his laptop and looked up at me now.

"I wasn't thinking about me. I was thinking for the band. It didn't even have to be Fifth Harmony, yes. But I thought they were amazingly sweet girls and could give us a boost in popularity and profits coming in. And we could really use more dedicated fans." I said waving my hands in the air as I talked.

He eyed me up and down and sighed.

"You're talking about them like you already know them. You have absolutely no idea what these girls are like. This could end very badly." he said fixing his hair to the side with his fingers.
"I do know them!" I protested.
"Tv interviews and shows don't count little sis." he chuckled now.

If he was laughing, that meant he had let all the hard feelings go.

"I really, really think this is a good idea. What harm could my favorite people on this Earth meeting possibly do?" I said playfully punching his arm and walking out.

All I knew was we headed out in two days and everyone, well just Will and Chrissy, was mad at me. I know for sure tomorrow they'll wake up level-headed and be willing to hear me out. I still hadn't told them that I was actually their tour manager and not Nick because Simon thought it was a brilliant idea I got involved in this business. I was super nervous for what the future held, but if I've got Against the Current and Fifth Harmony on my side, shouldn't I be considered invinsible now?